Key Facts: North Korea vs Mozambique Wages
- North Korea Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Mozambique Minimum Wage
- MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
- North Korea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₩100,000 /mo ($111.11 USD)
- Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / World Bank / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) / NK News (2026-02-25), Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25)
North Korea 
Mozambique
Updated 2026-02-25
North Korea has no statutory minimum wage, while Mozambique sets a floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $111/mo in North Korea versus $282/mo in Mozambique, a 2.5:1 ratio. North Korea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.5% compared to 6.6%.
North Korea's unemployment rate is 3.5% compared to Mozambique's 6.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Korea | Mozambique |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | MT38.60 $0.60 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | MT6,688 $104.75 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | MT80,256 $1,256.95 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₩100,000 /mo $111.11 | MT18,000 /mo $281.91 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₩90,000 /mo $100 | MT15,500 /mo $242.76 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | MT60,000 /yr $939.70 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Korea is higher.
Work Week
- North Korea
-
48 hrs/wk standard
The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.
- Mozambique
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week and 8 hours per day. Overtime is limited to 96 hours per quarter and 200 hours per year. Overtime compensated at 150% for regular days and 200% for holidays and rest days.
See this comparison from Mozambique's perspective: Mozambique vs North Korea
Compare North Korea with...
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North Korea vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
North Korea vs France € 12.02 /hr 
North Korea vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
North Korea vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
North Korea vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
North Korea vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
North Korea vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
North Korea vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
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North Korea vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
North Korea vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
North Korea vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
North Korea vs Switzerland 
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North Korea vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Korea or Mozambique?
In North Korea, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Mozambique, it is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in North Korea compared to Mozambique?
The average gross salary in North Korea is ₩100,000/mo ($111.11 USD), compared to MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD) in Mozambique. In USD terms, workers in North Korea earn approximately 154% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Korea and Mozambique is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mozambique earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in North Korea.
How do work hours compare between North Korea and Mozambique?
Both North Korea and Mozambique mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.